This is one of the best Chardonnays coming out of California today, thanks to winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Case in point is when the sommelier at Aura, the Four Seasons in Calistoga, gave us a glass of 2012 a few weeks ago and it was phenomenal, tasting and drinking as if it had been a newly bottled Chardonnay. The same goes for their newly released 2021 vintage. "Stone fruits, buttered citrus, white flowers, and a subtle hint of green almonds all emerge from the 2021 Chardonnay Buena Tierra Vineyard, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, yet elegant Chardonnay. I love its overall balance, and it brings an impressive mix of richness and elegance." 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck. 

Shibumi Knoll's reputation soared with their 2005 vintage, earning a remarkable 97 points from Wine Spectator and marking a milestone for this young winery at the time in California. The Buena Tierra Vineyard has been their trusted source since inception, its 53-year-old vines yielding tightly clustered golden grapes. Dedicated to Old Wente clonal selection, these head-trained, dry-farmed vines occupy a prized 2.4-acre block, contributing to Shibumi Knoll's distinctive character and quality.